University of Delaware

Integrating Problem-Based Learning and Technology in Education

Institute for TransformingUndergraduate Education

George Watsonghw@udel.edu

http://www.udel.edu/pbl/jamaica

The Way It Was... 1973

2007

Computation and Calculation

scientific calculators,graphing calculators,

laptops,PDAs

tablet PCs,gigabytes and gigahertz,ubiquitous computing

The Way It Was... 1973

2007

Communication and Collaboration

e-mail,voice-mail,chatrooms,

FAX,cell phones,

text messaging,instant messaging,

blogging,wireless connectivity

The Way It Was... 1973

2007

Collections and Connections

Online Information:web catalogs,

networked databases,Britannica Online, online newspapers,

course websites,CMS and LMS,

podcasting,wikis,

YouTube

Given the amazing advances in technology

and the dramatic change in the environment of our students,

Can we afford to continue teaching the way we were taught?

An important question:

IntegratingInformation Technology

and PBL

Active Learning Objectives

Courses should:1. Be student-centered and encourage students to “learn to

learn.”2. Provide opportunities to think critically and to analyze and

solve problems.3. Assist students in developing skills in gathering and

evaluating information.4. Provide experience working cooperatively in teams and

small groups.5. Help students acquire versatile and effective communication

skills.6. Offer a variety of learning experiences.7. Apply technology effectively where it will enhance learning.

Information Technology Objectives

Students should:

1. engage in electronic collaboration.

2. use and create structured electronic documents.

3. do technology-enhanced presentations.

4. use appropriate electronic tools for research and evaluation.

5. use spreadsheets and databases to manage information.

6. use electronic tools for analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.

7. identify major legal, ethical, and security issues in information technology.

8. have a working knowledge of IT platforms.

Adapted from Technology Across the Curriculum, George Mason U.

collaboration

structureddocuments

enhancedpresentations

research &evaluation

managinginformation

analyzingdata

cooperativegroups

critical thinkingproblem solving

gathering &evaluating info

student-centeredlearning to learn

varied learningexperiences

communicationskills

IT6

IT5 IT4

IT3IT2

IT1

AL1

AL2

AL3

AL4

AL5

AL6

Overlap of Active-Learning Objectives and Instructional Technology Objectives

collaboration

structureddocuments

enhancedpresentations

research &evaluation

managinginformation

analyzingdata

cooperativegroups

critical thinkingproblem solving

gathering &evaluating info

student-centeredlearning to learn

varied learningexperiences

communicationskills

IT6

IT5 IT4

IT3IT2

IT1

AL1

AL2

AL3

AL4

AL5

AL6

Overlap of Active-Learning Objectives and Instructional Technology Objectives

collaboration

structureddocuments

enhancedpresentations

research &evaluation

managinginformation

analyzingdata

cooperativegroups

critical thinkingproblem solving

gathering &evaluating info

student-centeredlearning to learn

varied learningexperiences

communicationskills

IT6

IT5 IT4

IT3IT2

IT1

AL1

AL2

AL3

AL4

AL5

AL6

Overlap of Active-Learning Objectives and Instructional Technology Objectives

www.physics.udel.edu/~watson

Organizingthe Course

UtilizingOnline Resources

Organizingthe Course

Web Sites andWeb Pages Syllabus

Organizing the Course

GroupsStudent Reports

and Projects

Syllabus

Syllabus Introductionto PBL

Organizing the Syllabus

Groupfacilitation and

supportForms forassessment

Introductionto PBL

Groupfacilitation and

support

Forms forassessment

Examples of supporting information that can be linked from an online syllabus:

1. Instructor’s instructional philosophy 2. Detailed course objectives (both content and process) 3. General education curriculum goals 4. Motivation and description of PBL 5. Problem solving process and strategies 6. Roles and responsibilities of students, peer tutors, and

instructor 7. List of frequently asked questions about PBL and working

in groups 8. Forms for assessment of individual performance in groups 9. Some thoughts on grading 10. Anonymous suggestion box and responses to suggestions11. Academic Services Center 12. Policies on academic dishonesty and responsible computing

Web Sites andWeb Pages Syllabus

Organizing the Course

GroupsStudent Reports

and Projects

Groups

GroupsIdentity:

Rosters, photos,addresses

Organizing Groups

Vehicles forcommunication

Vehicles forcollaboration

Student toprofessor

Professor tostudent

Organizing Groups

Groups

Student togroup

Professor togroup

Student tostudent

Vehicles forcommunication

Group toprofessor

Group togroup

Groups bulletin boards,newsgroups

Egroups.comchatrooms,filesharing,

scheduling meetings

CMS: WebCTcontrolled discussion forums,

collaborative space,whiteboarding

Vehicles forcollaboration

Organizing Groups

Organizingthe Course

UtilizingOnline Resources

UtilizingOnline Resources

Web Sites andWeb Pages

Ingredients forwriting problems

Utilizing Online Resources

Inspiration fordesigning problems

Information forsolving problems

Ingredients forwriting problems

Web Sites andWeb Pages

Utilizing Online Resources

Borrowing imagesfrom other sites

Creating imageswith scanners,digital cameras

Ingredients forwriting problems

Background factsfrom networked

databases

Web Sites andWeb Pages

Utilizing Online Resources

Online regionalnewspapers for

local perspective

Internationalnewspapers for

global view

Quack websitesfor “raw”material

Film and TVsites for scriptsand characters

Inspiration fordesigning problems

Web Sites andWeb Pages

Utilizing Online Resources

Executing websearches effectively

Information forsolving problems

Evaluating onlineresources critically

Old thinking:The web is full ofmisinformation andbiased representationStay away!

New thinking:Engage and developcritical thinking skills.The Internet Challenge!

Computer SimulationsA wide variety of educational games exist that represent a PBL approach to learning <www.legacyinteractive.com> :

emergency room www.trauma.orgvirtual hospital www.vh.orgarchaeological dig dig.anthro.niu.eduhalls of justice www.objection.com

Interactive Java applets and Flash animations are also an excellent way to bring the power of technology to the PBL classroom.

As initially presented to the students

Features of the Circuit Simulator

The current version providesa prototyping workspacedrag-and-drop selection of resistors and batteriesmultimeters that can be configured to display

current and/or voltage for each circuit elementwire cutters and wire to complete and

reconfigure circuits to carry out simulated experiments.

a written and audio introduction to its use.

Running a circuit simulation…

Concept Mapping Software

www.inspiration.com

Trends and Directionsin PBL and Technology

Facilities for PBL

Collaborative workspace

Flexible furniture in PBL classroom

www.udel.edu/pbl/wireless/

In your working group, please share your ideas on how you will use technology to support student

learning in your PBL exercise.